The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-11-23
KING GOALS REIGN.

tuati0ns in Value at Pittsburgh
During Twenty Five Years.
be history of King Coal, says Thu
|burgh Commercial Gazette, is one
hany fluctuations. II has not beer
pys the same easy-going story as
of the other King Cole, who called
bis pipe and bowl and fiddlers three.
ng the war times the price paid
he carboniferous treasure reached
CHEST point. Capt. James Wal
one of Pittsburgh's Oldest coal
RS. who has been in the business
1858. said that he had sold coal
cents a bushel and also for 20
bushel. In the early days OF
oal excitement the prices which
commanded in those regions was
BIT fabulous. IL is said that in
instances as much as 81 pei
el was paid. This was before any
or even "coal-banks" were
ed in this territory. The striking
new oil-well was the forerunaer
ut few days of a town. To run
engines it was necessary to have
Wood was used as far as posi-
ut with green wood and in wet
er ii was very difficult to ac'
ish much. These towns were
pften some distance from any
kblc stream. and just as often
any road that deserved the name
such. The matter of transportation
rs then the great question, and its
st for n short time made the cost OF
cry commodity, and especially of
nj, something that is almost beyond
lief. These conditions never con.
lued long, and with the Improvement
tho means of transportation and
mpetition the prices were soon
ought down to more reasonable fig
es. Capt. Walton in 1860 and 1861,
ipped some coal into the oil country.
, was the only dealer in this vicinity
10 did. He was then in the transport.
: business, and had three small tow.
ats on the Allegheny river, and was
mt to send them up loaded with coal
d bring down freight on the return
p. This was before the Allegheny
Hey railroad was put through. But
, highest price he ever received fol
al in this section was 40 cents, which
one trip he got at Tidioute. Thirty
G cents per bushel was the ordinary
ce received during these times at
III points as Oil City. The expenses
transportation were so great that
IN this price did not leave as large 3
lrgin as might have been expected.
The course of the river was winding,
1 only for few months in the year
s there water enough for any kind
navigation, and even then only in
smallest boats. In most cases the
Il had to be transferred from the
'ges and hauled In cars for ten OF
cen miles before it reached its des.
alton. This condition of affairs only
ted for about two seasons, after
ich it ceased TO pay to send any coal
re altogether. They began to open
all mines at Catfish and all points
ere there was any demand for coal.
9 highest price at which he has ever
d coal was during the latter years Of
war at New Orleans for 20 cents
: bushel. He took government
,tract for two million bushels al
S price. The cause of the great
CO was the difficulty in obtaining
ners and the danger of transporta.
n. 1t was almost impossible to gel
II to work the barges, and when you
get them it was still greater task
keep them from deserving.
After the war prices rapidly dropped
have for many years huctuated be.
zen 8 and 10 cents. During the last
nner coal was sold for cents. AT
present time prices are better, but
) does the Pittsburgh dealers no good,
.ause they have no coal to sell.
ere has been no water, and it is i'm
'sible TO bring down coal.